CN104536427A - Methods and apparatus to bind properties in a process control system - Google Patents

Abstract

Example methods and apparatus to bind properties in a process control system are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves associating a binding type with a property of a configuration element. A plurality of values for the property are then retrieved based on the plurality of values being associated with the binding type. At least some of the plurality of values are presented to a user. The example method also involves receiving a user-selected value from the at least some of the plurality of property values and generating a binding reference to bind the user-selected value to the configuration element.

Description

For the method and apparatus of bind properties in Process Control System

This patent be in the application number submitted on February 11st, 2009 be 200910008683.4, title is the divisional application of the patented claim of " for the method and apparatus of bind properties in Process Control System ".

Technical field

Present invention relates in general to Process Control System, particularly relate in Process Control System for bind properties.

Background technology

Process Control System-as those Process Control Systems for chemistry, oil or other processes-typically comprise one or more process controller and I/O (I/O) equipment, process controller and I/O (I/O) equipment by emulation bus, number bus or analog/digital hybrid bus, with at least one main workstation or operator workstation and be connected with one or more field device communicating.Described field apparatus may be valve, valve positioner, switch and transmitter (such as temperature sensor, pressure transducer and flow rate sensor), and they play function during the course, as opened and/or shutoff valve and measurement process parameters.Described process controller receives the signal of the process measurement that described field apparatus carries out and/or other information about described field apparatus, and use these information to implement control routine by control module, then produce control signal and be sent to described field apparatus by described bus and/or other order wires, to control the operation of described process.After this manner, described process controller by described bus and/or other communication links be connected with described field device communicating, can use described field apparatus to perform and coordination control strategy.

Process Control System is often configured to carry out implementation according to control module, to produce product.Product designer or slip-stick artist in design time prepare control module, and store described control module and repeatedly use subsequently for Process Control System.Control module typically comprises configuration information with control procedure equipment (such as container slot, drum, mixer, boiler, evaporator, pump, valve etc.), so as to transmit in Process Control System, mixing and mixing processing in every way, thus perform process.In order to enable Process Control System executable operations, the device of described Process Control System or equipment (such as pump, valve, mixer, boiler, sensor etc.) also must configure.To these fill a prescription relevant formula and device configuration information, device when process recipe changes and/or in Process Control System or equipment repeatedly can upgrade or revise when changing.When carrying out any change, user must guarantee that described change carries out with correct effective value, and must guarantee that described change is suitably carried out in described control module or the referenced everywhere of configuration information.

Summary of the invention

This patent is described in Process Control System for the exemplary equipment of bind properties and method.Describe example according to one, a kind of method relates to makes binding classification contact with the attribute of configuration element.Then, according to the multiple values contacted with described binding classification, multiple values of described attribute are retrieved.At least some property value in described multiple property value is provided and gives user.Described sample method also relates to the user's set point value received from the described at least some property value in described multiple property value, and produces binding reference, described user's set point value is tied to described configuration element.

Describe example according to another, a kind of equipment comprises binding provider, so that multiple values of the attribute of retrieval configuration element.Described binding provider retrieves described multiple value according to the binding classification relevant to described attribute.Described equipment also comprises element editing machine, to provide at least some property value in described multiple property value to user.Described element editing machine also receives the user's set point value from the described at least some property value in described multiple property value further, and produces binding reference, described user's set point value is tied to described configuration element.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Fig. 1 is a block diagram, its diagram one example Process Control System.

Fig. 2 describes an exemplary graph user interface (GUI), and this exemplary graph user interface (GUI) comprises the interconnection between the graphic elements of the process controller of the example Process Control System of representative graph 1 and described graphic elements.

Fig. 3 is an Exemplary attributes definition of user's interface, and this Exemplary attributes definition of user's interface is for creating and define the attribute of graphic elements.

Fig. 4 is an exemplary graph component attributes user interface, and this exemplary graph component attributes user interface is for configuring the attribute of graphic elements.

Fig. 5 and 6 describes example name and a rename technology, and the name of this example and rename technology may be used for following the tracks of and propagating by the change of the value of the attribute reference of graphic elements.

Fig. 7 describes an example class figure, and this example class figure shows can how to show definition class to represent binding reference.

Fig. 8 describes an example validation verification information, and this example validation verification information may be used for the information of the validity provided about the selected control module identifier for binding control module and graphic elements.

Fig. 9 describes an example event handler user interface, and in this example event handler user interface, sample method described here and equipment may be used for selecting control module identifier value.

Figure 10 is the block diagram of an exemplary equipment, and this exemplary equipment can as described here, for process control module is tied to graphic elements.

Figure 11 be an example based on object Process graph, it is shown as and uses different binding provider to retrieve binding classification, the data stream of carrying out between different object instance and/or communication stream.

Figure 12 be an example based on object Process graph, its be shown as assignment binding classification to the attribute of graphic elements, the data stream of carrying out between different object instance and/or communication stream.

Figure 13 be an example based on object Process graph, its be shown as create binding reference, the data stream of carrying out between different object instance and/or communication stream.

Figure 14 be another example based on object Process graph, its be shown as preserve binding reference, the data stream of carrying out between different object instance and/or communication stream.

Figure 15 be another example based on object Process graph, its be shown as use upgrade binding reference information to load graphic elements, the data stream of carrying out between different object instance and/or communication stream.

Figure 16 is the process flow diagram of a sample method, and this sample method can use different binding provider to retrieve binding classification.

Figure 17 is the process flow diagram of a sample method, and this sample method may be used for making control module identifier and equipment or arrange graphic elements to contact.

Figure 18 is the process flow diagram of a sample method, and this sample method may be used for storing binding reference.

Figure 19 is the process flow diagram of a sample method, and this sample method can use and upgrade binding reference information to load graphic elements.

Figure 20 is the block diagram of an exemplary process device system, and this exemplary process device system may be used for implementing sample method described here and equipment.

Embodiment

Although below description sample method and equipment are (except comprising other elements, also be included in software and/or firmware that hardware performs), but it should be noted, these examples are only be to illustrate the present invention, therefore should not be treated as is limit the scope that the present invention includes.Such as, expect that any or all these hardware, software and fastener members can be implemented on hardware individually, be implemented on software or be implemented on the combination of any hardware and software individually.Therefore, although following, sample methods and equipment are described, the common engineering technical personnel of this area it will be understood that these examples provided at this be not implement these method and apparatus only have approach.

Sample method described here and equipment may be used for attribute value being tied to element, or for implementing the method for control strategy in Process Control System.In particular, described sample method and equipment can make the element of binding classification information and control policy context or method generation contact implement by enabling user, in described control strategy environment, described binding classification information is used for classification or splits multiple probable value, described multiple probable value can according to described binding classification, is tied to the particular community of element or method or the subset of value or different groups.Binding classification and element or method are contacted, makes it possible to fully reduce or eliminate the possibility that user is the value that described element or method input are incorrect or invalid.Such as, when user attempts the value of setting or Alternative Attribute, described Attribute domain automatically only can advise the value relevant to the binding classification of this attribute.In addition, sample method described here and equipment also can according to the binding classifications relevant to point other attribute of described property value, property value is provided for authentication of users, to guarantee that they are effective, to produce effectively bind with reference to (such as will be resolved to the effectively bind reference of effective control module or other effective targets).Sample method described here and equipment also may be used for the change of property value following the tracks of configuration element (graphic elements), (such as) such change be carry out outside the editing machine environment of these configuration elements or method time.After this manner, any instantiation subsequently of these configuration elements or method will comprise described Update attribute value.

Described sample method and equipment this with for implementing the man-machine interface (HMI) of graphic editor together with description, user can create and/or edit by this graphic editor the graphic attribute value representing unit in Process Control System or figure.Man-machine interface (HMI) provide graphic user interface, by described graphic user interface, user can from one or more configuration design figure, to represent process control equipment or device or to set the different attribute of described figure, to make it possible to the control module by configuring with described figure, monitoring and/or control procedure.Described sample method and equipment are described as the process control module of Process Control System being tied to the process control system device of Process Control System or the avatars of device or function at this.Process control system device can be (such as) field apparatus (such as pressure transducer, temperature sensor, valve control, liquid level sensor etc.), process controller (such as mixer, pump, valve, boiler, heat interchanger, smelting furnace etc.), opertaing device (such as controller, programmable logic controller (PLC) (PLC ' s), dcs (DCS) controller, I/O (I/O) equipment etc.) etc.Sample method described here and equipment can be configured to: when user (such as slip-stick artist, programmer etc.) is just defining or configuring graphic elements in graphic editor environment, can according to the specific binding classification relevant to this graphic elements, use automatic recommended procedure to provide process control module title or identifier to user (such as slip-stick artist, programmer etc.), described process control module title or identifier can be used for the equipment that is tied to or device figure element.Except described automatic recommended procedure, or replace described automatic recommended procedure, automatically complete program, technical program or any other suitable program can according to binding classifications described here, for providing control module title or identifier.In addition, sample method described here and equipment when these process control module titles or identifier value are changed subsequently outside graphic editor environment, can automatically change the process control module title in different graphic element or identifier value.After this manner, graphic elements can remain bound to correctly, corresponding control module.

The known user interface for Process Control System display in, user must create (such as), configure or definition procedure control routine time at many local input texts.Such as, when user selects on screen or create the process device graphic elements representing process device (such as pump, mixer, well heater etc.), user can select to define the title of described graphic elements, ToolTips describes and/or other information.These values often use character string to store, or in some example, the value not just simple characters string provided during configuration or definition time.In any case, when not performing configuration validation verification to guarantee that provided character string is effective, can not ensure enforcement expection configuration.

Different from the known technology for layoutprocedure control system, the guarantee that sample method described here and equipment can provide the guarantee that provides than known technology relatively many, ensure that the information that user provides is effective preferably, to produce effective process control routine, formula etc.Such as, if user creates pump figure and make specific control module bind classification and described pump figure contacts, sample method described here and equipment may be used for suggestion or provide control module title or identifier value inventory to user; Described control module title or identifier value can be used, bind classification according to user's specified control module relevant to described figure, be tied to selected pump figure.After this manner, user can be prevented incorrect or invalid control module to be tied to equipment or device figure element (such as non-existent control module or with described equipment or the incompatible control module of device figure element), in order to avoid create invalid figure configuration.In addition, in order to keep the validity of the avatars of described process control routine, when sample method described here and equipment may be used for the title of Monitoring and Controlling module or identifier to be changed or rename (such as outside graphic editor), and upgrades described control module, equipment or device name or identifier in the respective graphical being tied to this identifier.When corresponding graphic elements is loaded into graphical human-machine interface (HMI) software working time of graphic editor or control subsequently, " being tied to the identifier value of control module " of being tied to described respective graphical element will be updated, to keep the validity of the binding between described graphic elements and described control module.After this manner, user does not need artificially check or reconfigure the title that each process device graphic elements upgrades the control module identifier should bound with these graphic elements.

Although below describe described sample method and equipment and control module relevant, described sample method and equipment also may be used for fill a prescription (such as batch processing formula).In illustrated example described here, control module be circulate or continuation mode operation until the process that stopped by external action (such as by operator or by formulation procedures) or operation; And fill a prescription (such as batch processing formula) is the process with starting point and terminal.Such as, when control module to have configured the operation of particular sequence according to it, described control module has been circulated back to starting point, and re-executes described operation.On the other hand, when formula reaches specific objective (such as described formula has completed the paint manufacturing particular lot) according to its configuration, described formula stops.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the example Process Control System that may be used for implementing sample method described here and equipment comprises workstation 102 (such as applying station, operator station etc.) and controller 106, and workstation 102 and controller 106 can be communicated to connect by bus or LAN (Local Area Network) (LAN) 108.LAN (Local Area Network) (LAN) 108 is commonly referred to as application controls network (ACN), and the telecommunication media of any expectation and agreement can be used to implement.Such as, LAN (Local Area Network) (LAN) 108 can based on wired or wireless Ethernet (Ethernet) communication plan, and wired or wireless Ethernet (Ethernet) communication plan light is well known, is not described in more detail at this.But the common engineering technical personnel of this area it will be understood that and also can use any other suitable telecommunication media and agreement.In addition, although show single LAN (Local Area Network) (LAN) in figure, but can use more than a LAN (Local Area Network) (LAN) and suitable communication hardware in workstation 102, to provide the redundant communication path of (not shown) between workstation 102 and another similar operation station.

Workstation 102 can be configured to perform the operation relevant to one or more information technology application program, user interaction application program and/or communication application program.Such as, workstation 102 can be configured to perform the operation relevant to process control related application and communication application program, makes application station 102 and controller 106 can use the telecommunication media (such as radio communication media, wired communication media etc.) of any expectation and agreement (such as HTTP, SOAP etc.) and other equipment or system communication.Workstation 102 can use any suitable computer system or processor system (processor system 2010 of such as Figure 20) to implement.Such as, workstation 102 can use uniprocessor personal computer, uniprocessor or multiprocessor workstation etc. implement.

Controller 106 can perform and produce and downloaded to controller 106 and the one or more process control routine in controller 106 instantiation by system engineer or other system librarian use workstation 102 or any workstation.Controller 106 can be (such as) DeltaV TM controller by " the soft Si Mangte System Co., Ltd of Fei Sheer " (Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.) and " Ai Mosheng process control " (Emerson ProcessManagement) sold.But, also can change into and use any other controller.In addition, although Fig. 1 only shows a controller, the additional controller of any expectation classification or category combinations can be connected to LAN (Local Area Network) (LAN) 108.

Controller 106 is connected to multiple field apparatus by digital data bus 114 and I/O (I/O) equipment 116, comprises field apparatus 110a-b and pump 112.During implementation control routine, controller 106 can exchange information (such as order, configuration information, metrical information, condition information etc.) with field apparatus 110a-b and pump 112.Such as, controller 106 can with process control routine, this process control routine impels controller 106 to send a command to field apparatus 110a-b and pump 112 when being performed by controller 106, this impels field apparatus 110a-b and pump 112 perform specific operation (such as performing measurement, open/close valves, Enable/Disable etc.) and/or pass through digital data bus 114 transmission information (such as measurement data).

In the illustrated example of Fig. 1, pump control module 120 is configured in workstation 102, with defined attribute and configuration information, so that control pump 112 and/or be connected with pump 112, make it possible to carry out control pump 112 by control module 120, to implement the process control routine performed by controller 106.In order to identify control module 120, control module 120 is with title or identifier value (i.e. identifier value) FIC101.In described illustrated example, although displaying scene equipment 110a-b is pressure unit in figure, field apparatus 110a-b can be the equipment of any other classification, comprises sensor or the measuring equipment, actuator etc. of other classifications.In addition, in described illustrated example, pump 112 can be called device.Device also can comprise (such as) container slot, drum, mixer, boiler, well heater etc.But, be in this case convenient to discuss, " equipment " and " device " two word can exchange use.

In described illustrated example, equipment 110a-b and pump 112 are the equipment of observing Fieldbus agreement, and they are configured to use Fieldbus agreement, communicated by digital data bus 114.According to Fieldbus standard, digital data bus 114 is the numeral, two-way, the multi-point bus that are configured to be communicatively connected to measuring equipment and opertaing device (such as equipment 110a-b and pump 112).In figure, display device 110a-b and pump 112 are communicatively connected to digital data bus 114 in Multipoint weighting mode.Selectively can use digital data bus 114 or similar data bus, use point-to-point configuration that field device communicating is connected to I/O (I/O) equipment 116, in a point-to-point configuration, a field apparatus is used alone digital data bus and communicates with I/O (I/O) equipment 116.In optionally embodiment, described method and apparatus can together with use, they may comprise or not comprise the equipment in accordance with Fieldbus agreement with the field apparatus of other classifications (such as observe Profibus or HART agreement, use Profibus and the HART communication protocol be widely known by the people to carry out the equipment communicated by digital data bus 114).

In described illustrated example, I/O (I/O) equipment 116 uses input/output subsystem interface to implement, and this makes it possible to other field apparatuss controller 106 and equipment 110a-b and pump 112 being connected to the communication protocol (such as Profibus agreement, HART agreement etc.) that may use Fieldbus agreement or other classifications.Such as, I/O (I/O) equipment 116 can comprise one or more gateway, and gateway is at Fieldbus agreement and other communication protocols translation.Additional I/O (I/O) equipment (similar or be same as I/O (I/O) equipment 116) can be connected to controller 106, communicates with controller 106 to enable the field apparatus of additional combinations.

Example Process Control System 100 is provided to the system of an explanation classification, and described in greater detail sample method and equipment can be advantageously used in example Process Control System 100 below.But, if needed, method and apparatus described here can be advantageously used in more complicated than the example Process Control System 100 shown in Fig. 1 or more uncomplicated other system and/or the system relevant with process control activities, enterprise management activity, communication activity etc.

Fig. 2 describes an example editing machine graphic user interface (GUI) 200, this example editing machine graphic user interface (GUI) 200 may be used for creating and/or editing graph configuration 201, comprises the interconnection between the process device graphic elements 202a-c of the process control equipment of the example Process Control System 100 of representative graph 1 and graphic elements 202a-c.Create figure configuration 201 instantiation in the pump control module 120 of Fig. 1 and control configuration 203, to monitor and to change set-point value and/or other parameters of pump control module 120.In described illustrated example, each process device figure in process device figure 202a-c can use single profile figure or meet profile figure to implement.Such as, some process device figures (such as process device figure 202a-c) can be selected and arrange described profile to represent corresponding process device by allowing user from the different profiles of editing machine graphic user interface (GUI) 200, are created by user.Other process device figures can with process control software predefine and packaging, makes user can when not needing to make figure from described predefine figure selecting.Process device figure 202a-c can use designs software applications program that performed by (such as) workstation 102, graphic based user interface (GUI) to interconnect by user (such as slip-stick artist, operator etc.).In described illustrated example, the name of container slot figure 202a is called " container slot _ 1 ", and the name of pump figure 202b is called " pump _ 1 ", and the name of mixer figure 202c is called " mixer _ 1 ".User can each process device figure in selection course equipment figure 202a-c, to edit attribute definition or the property value of this figure.Such as, clicking pump figure 202b impels editing machine graphic user interface (GUI) 200 to show " edit properties " option 204 and " attribute " option 206.

In described illustrated example, the Exemplary attributes definition of user's interface (UI) 300 selecting " edit properties " option 204 to impel editing machine graphic user interface (GUI) 200 to show the Exemplary attributes definition of user's interface (UI) 300, Fig. 3 of Fig. 3 may be used for the attribute defining or edit pump figure 202b.In described illustrated example, figure configuration 201 can (therefore the control configuration 203 of Fig. 1 also can) create once and subsequently repeatedly with the pump control module 120 of Fig. 1 and/or use with other control modules simultaneously.Such as, user can creation module attribute, pump figure 202b is tied to (such as) pump control module 120 (Fig. 1), with by pump figure 202b and pump 112 interaction." attribute " option 206 is selected to impel editing machine graphic user interface (GUI) 200 to show the Exemplary attributes user interface 400 of Fig. 4, the Exemplary attributes user interface 400 of Fig. 4 may be used for the attribute configuring pump figure 202b (Fig. 2), comprises (such as) attribute by the attribute definition of user's interface (UI) 300 of Fig. 3.

Referring now to Fig. 3, Exemplary attributes definition of user's interface (UI) 300 comprises title-domain 302, data category territory 304 and binding classification territory 306.In described illustrated example, title-domain 302 is implemented with Input, and data category territory 304 and binding classification territory 306 are implemented with drop down list control.Title-domain 302 can be used for providing title to the attribute defined for pump figure 202b by user.In described illustrated example, the Property Name provided is " module ", and " module " refers to the attribute being defined for and control module (control module 120 of such as Fig. 1 or any other control module) being tied to pump figure 202b.Data category territory 304 may be used for specifying the title data category being in memory applied to and specifying in store name territory 302.

Binding classification territory 306 may be used for the module classification that appointment should be tied to pump figure 202b (Fig. 2).In described illustrated example, the pump control module 120 of Fig. 1 is DeltaV module, and therefore, in order to work to pump control module 120, the binding classification of specifying in binding classification territory 306 is " DV module " 308.Binding between figure described here and control module is for creating linking or contact between described figure (the figure 202a-c of such as Fig. 2) with described control module (pump control module 120 of such as Fig. 1), described figure is made to may be used for the configuration of constructive process control system, the configuration of these Process Control Systems can by their respective control modules, control and physical equipment in observation process control system or device (such as equipment 110a-b and pump 112).

The possibility of incorrect or invalid control module identifier value (such as FIC101, FIC102, flow rate-reactor etc.) is inputted in order to reduce or eliminate user fully, to form specific effectively bind, the binding classification of being specified by the binding classification territory 306 of Exemplary attributes definition of user's interface (UI) 300 may be used for advising the control module identifier with the control module of specified binding classification compatibility subsequently.Such as, referring to Fig. 4, when user configures pump figure 202b by properties user interface 400, user use attribute codomain 402 can specify the control module identifier (such as FIC101, FIC102 etc.) of the control module relevant to the Process Control System 100 of Fig. 1, to bind pump figure 202b and the control module corresponding to specified control module identifier.In described illustrated example, attribute codomain 402 is the control module identifier domain 402 being applicable to define in attribute definition of user's interface (UI) 300 " module " attribute 404.

As shown in Figure 4, when user starts input control module identifier domain 402, automatically suggestion drop down list 406 is shown, and comprises suggestion or corresponding to the binding prompting of identifier of control module that can be tied to pump figure 202b.Described control module identifier in automatic suggestion drop down list 406 is according to the binding category filters of specifying in the binding classification territory 306 of Fig. 3 or provide.After this manner, user can not select invalid or non-existent identifier.In described illustrated example, identifier value FIC101, automatically advising being selected in drop down list 406, is applicable to " module " attribute 404.

In some example, user can select to specify "None" (310) in the binding classification territory 306 of Fig. 3.When not specifying binding classification (when specifying ' None ' (nothing) 310), user can input any identifier in the control module identifier domain 402 of Fig. 4.In other words, the protection of binding category filters is not provided to prevent user from inputting invalid or non-existent identifier.Therefore, if user inputs non-existent identifier, or the control module identifier of input can not produce effectively bind with reference to (effectively bind is with reference to being resolved to the described control module of binding and special pattern), resulting figure configuration may be invalid, and may run not according to the such of expection.

Fig. 5 and 6 describes example name and a rename technology, and the name of this example and rename technology may be used for following the tracks of and propagating by the change of the value of the attribute reference of equipment or device figure element.In the illustrated example of Fig. 5 and 6, when the control module identifier value (the identifier FIC101 of the control module 120 of such as Fig. 1) that described name and rename technology are used for Monitoring and Controlling module is changing outside graphic editor user interface (the editing machine graphic user interface (GUI) 200 of such as Fig. 2), and propagate described identifier and change to pump figure 202b, to guarantee that pump figure 202b comprises the control module identifier value of renewal, the described binding between described control module and described figure is remained valid.In described illustrated example, one or more data storage area 502 (such as one or more database) is configured to storage control module information, graphic attribute definition information and for binding the binding information of control module (control module 120 of such as Fig. 1) to corresponding figure (the figure 202a-c of such as Fig. 2).Such as, referring to Figure 10, data storage area 502 can comprise binding information data and store 1010 and/or graphics data saving 1020.Example data memory block 502 can be stored in any processor system or the server of Process Control System 100 and/or be communicatively connected to Process Control System 100.

In order to storage control module information, example data memory block 502 stores multiple control module data record or entry, and one of them control module data record or entry show in the drawings, and represent with reference number 504.In described illustrated example, FIC101 control module data record 504 is for storing configuration corresponding to FIC101 pump control module 120 that is relevant to pump 112 (Fig. 1), Fig. 1 and attribute information.In described illustrated example, user can check FIC101 control module data record 504 by browser user interface 506 (such as module browser and/or selection user interface).After this manner, user can use one or more examples of control module 120 (Fig. 1) to come suggested formula or control strategy.

In order to store the configuration information corresponding to equipment or device figure, example data memory block 502 stores multiple figure configuration data record, and one of them figure configuration data record shows in the drawings, and represents with reference number 508.In described illustrated example, figure configuration data record 508 is for storing corresponding to called after " pump _ 1 " and the configuration information of the figure 202b shown in graphic editor user interface 514.The described property value provided by graphic attribute user interface 400 (Fig. 4) and/or graphic editor user interface 514 by user can be stored in figure configuration data record 508.In described illustrated example, figure configuration data record 508 is shown as storing the control module identifier value FIC101 relevant to " module " attribute (i.e. " module " attribute 404 of Fig. 4).Figure configuration data record 508 also comprises bound flag (B) 509, and control module (control module 120 of such as Fig. 1) is bound or be not tied to this bound flag (' B ') 509 whether for presentation graphic configuration data record 508.In described illustrated example, bound flag 509 is set as one (1), and presentation graphic configuration data record 508 is bound.When figure configuration data record (such as figure configuration data record 508) and corresponding figure (the pump figure 202b of such as Fig. 2 and 5) are not bound, its bound flag (such as bound flag 509) is set as zero (0), and described figure configuration data record is placed in and does not bind inventory.

Be tied to which device figure element (the figure 202a-c of such as Fig. 2) to follow the tracks of which control module (control module 120 of such as Fig. 1), example data memory block 502 comprises multiple binding reference data record 510.Each binding reference data record in binding reference data record 510 comprises binding with reference to ID, binding classification, binding provider title and bound values (such as FIC101, FIC102 etc.).Binding may not show to user with reference to ID, for accessing and follow the tracks of each binding reference data record of binding in reference data record 510 and making each binding reference data record in binding reference data record 510 and corresponding equipment or device figure (the figure 202a-c of such as Fig. 2) contact.Binding classification is used to specify the particular category of binding, can for the binding classification of input in the binding classification territory 306 of such as Fig. 3.Binding title is the title of specific binding provider (such as the binding provider 902 about Fig. 9 described below), selects for user for providing specific binding classification.Bound values is the identifier (the control module identifier in the automatic suggestion drop down list 406 of such as Fig. 4) of specific control module.In some embodiments, binding is implemented with reference to using extend markup language (XML) form that represents with reference number 516 in Fig. 5 or any other suitable form.Briefly referring to Fig. 7, example class Figure 70 0 shows and how can represent that binding is with reference to 510 to show definition class 702.In the illustrated example of Fig. 7, display definition class 702 can defining corresponding to the profile element 704 of the one or more profiles for forming pump figure 202b (Fig. 2 and 5), describing 706 and specify the binding of the binding information classification of the information of display (such as in the binding of Fig. 5 is with reference to 516) with reference to 708 for storing for the attribute purposes describing the different attribute of profile element 704.

In described illustrated example, binding reference data record 510 comprises FIC 101 and to bind with reference to 512, FIC 101 bindings with reference to 512 for binding control module 120 corresponding to Fig. 1 of FIC101 control module information 504 to the pump figure 202b corresponding to figure configuration data record 508.When the described identifier (i.e. FIC101 identifier) corresponding to " module " attribute 404 (Fig. 4) changes (such as rename) for different value (such as LI444) outside graphic editor 514, binding with reference to 512 store described new identifier (such as LI444 identifier), make pump figure 202b can according to corresponding to " module " attribute 404 described renewal control module identifier value, automatically remain bound to correct control module.After this manner, the validity of described binding reference will be kept with reference to control module identifier described in rename in (such as binding with reference to 512), to keep equipment or device figure and the effectively bind be configured to and between this equipment or the relevant control module of device figure in binding.

In the described illustrated example of Fig. 6, user uses browser user interface 506 by described control module identifier from FIC101 identifier RNTO LI444 identifier, so that by control module 120 RNTO LI444.This change is responded by browser user interface 506, described control module identifier changes to LI444 in control module data record 504, and binding reference 512 is for searching the figure configuration data record 508 identifier value of control module identifier value FIC101 being changed to LI444 from FIC101.When the configuration information that user uses graphics edition user interface 514 to check corresponding to pump figure 202b (Fig. 2), the control module identifier value of described renewal will be shown as LI444, as specified in figure configuration data record 508.

Fig. 8 describes an example validation verification information 800, and this example validation verification information 800 may be used for the information of the validity provided about the selected control module identifier for binding control module and equipment or device figure element (the pump figure 202b of such as Fig. 2).In described illustrated example, validation verification information 800 points out that user provides control module identifier LI443 not exist or invalid to binding classification (such as DeltaV control module binding classification) accordingly.Can come according to the binding classification of specifying authentication of users provide control module identifier whether effective example validation verification process relate to and provide identifier to described user and compare to the available identifier previously binding the binding classification of specifying in classification territory 306 relevant by user by (such as).If do not existed to the described control module identifier binding classification relevant of specifying, validation verification information (such as validation verification information 800) can be supplied to user.Additionally or selectively, sample method described here and equipment can provide other indicators (such as to launch audio frequency to report to the police, underline text, highlight herein, add strikethrough text, and/or perform any other the text related amendments of control module identifier), invalid to point out control module identifier.In addition, described sample method and equipment can be configured to cross over several figure (the figure configuration 201 of such as Fig. 2) operational report, invalid to have determined whether any control module identifier, and with reporting format display result for customer analysis.

In some embodiments, validation verification process can require to perform when checking the configuration information of special pattern (the figure 202a-c of such as Fig. 2 one of them) by the graphic editor user interface 514 of (such as) Fig. 5 user.After this manner, if bind invalid, can when show required by figure before or do not need show required by figure, provide validity authorization information to user.In some embodiments, validation verification process can perform when user operates in properties user interface 400 (Fig. 4) or graphic editor user interface 514.Such as, if user attempts for equipment or device figure (the figure 202a-c of such as Fig. 2 one of them) provide control module identifier to resolve overlay path, validation verification process may be used for determining whether the described path of provided control module identifier exists.In some embodiments, user can abandon incorrect or invalid binding and create the control module identifier of binding classification corresponding to described incorrect or invalid binding subsequently.After this manner, user correctly to bind classification to after creating described control module identifier, described previously incorrect or invalid binding will be resolved, and validation verification process subsequently will determine described previously incorrect or invalidly to bind effectively.

Fig. 9 describes an example event handler user interface 900, and in this example event handler user interface 900, sample method described here and equipment may be used for selecting control module identifier value.Example event handler user interface 900 shows the above-mentioned binding classification for control module being tied to equipment or device figure and how together to use according to global approach and parameter, so that other user interface provides binding prompting (such as according to the automatic suggestion inventory of other control identifier of binding class) at other.Such as, method parameter definition can have defined binding classification, makes when user calls out correlation method, can advise that effective control module identifier of an inventory is selected according to described defined binding classification.In the illustrated example of Fig. 9, example binding prompting inventory 902 provides the control module identifier suggestion according to the binding category filters defined for global approach " Global_1 ".The above-mentioned rename tracking about Fig. 5 and 7 and validation verification process also may be used for bind properties value to global approach.

In some embodiments, method and apparatus described here may be used for enabling user provide embedded script in script main body (the script main body 904 of such as Fig. 9).Such as, ' in <DVMODULE> " FIC101 " </DV MODULE> ', described XML identifies binding class declaration binding title ' FIC101 ' of script behavior called after ' DVMODULE ' to identify scripting lines at XML.

Figure 10 is the block diagram of an exemplary equipment 1000, this exemplary equipment 1000 may be used for binding procedure control module, binding prompting and transmission controe module identifier value be provided change to the different graphic elements being tied to these control module identifier values.Exemplary equipment 1000 comprises one or more binding provider 1002, graphics memory provider 1004, graphic editor 1006 and storer 1008, and all these are determined provider 1002, graphics memory provider 1004, graphic editor 1006 and storer 1008 and as shown in the figure such can communicate to connect or communicate to connect in any other suitable manner.Exemplary equipment 1000 can use the hardware of any expectation, firmware and/or combination of software to implement.Such as, one or more integrated circuit, discrete semiconductor assembly or passive electric components can be used to implement.Additionally or selectively, some or all modules or its part of exemplary equipment 1000 can use the instruction be stored on machine readable medium, coding and/or other software and/or firmware to implement, and these are stored in instruction on machine readable medium, coding and/or other software and/or firmware performs when being performed by (such as) processor system (processor system 2010 of such as Figure 20) operation represented in the process flow diagram of Figure 16-19.Although exemplary equipment 1000 has each module described below, exemplary equipment 1000 can with two or more any module described below.In addition, some module may be prohibited, omit or with other block combiner.

In described illustrated example, described multiple binding provider 1002 is communicatively connected to one or more binding information data and stores 1010 (such as one or more binding information databases), and binding information data store 1010 and are configured to store binding with reference to (binding of such as Fig. 5 and 6 is with reference to 510) and control module information (the control module data record 504 of such as Fig. 5 and 6).Can by registering attribute to register each binding provider 1002 in binding provider 1002 at corresponding binding provider register-file 1012, using as can for user interface (such as Fig. 3,4,5, the user interface of 6 and 8) binding service.Each binding provider register-file 1012 comprises the binder provider Group structure at interface (such as binding classification interface 1014, browser interface 1016 and binding with reference to manager 1018) and the information of class that identify that it is bound provider 1002 accordingly and implements described binding provider 1002.Binding provider register-file 1012 can use extend markup language (XML) form or any other suitable format to be stored in the catalogue (such as " <disk>:/<pathGre atT.GreaT.GT/Graphic Editor/Binds ") of graphic editor 1006.

In described illustrated example, each binding provider 1002 in described multiple binding provider 1002 is corresponding to different binding classifications (the binding classification in the binding classification territory 306 of such as Fig. 3).Binding provider register-file 1012 can comprise binding provider ID, binding provider title (such as ' DeltaV '), describe, for dynamic link library (DLL) file at any interface implemented by binding provider 1002 or .netassembly file and one or more in the class title at each interface of binding provider 1002.In the illustrated example of Figure 10, binding provider 1002, by providing binding provider registration 1012 to graphic editor 1006, is registered in graphic editor 1006.

Described binding provider 1002 can access binding information data and store 1010, to retrieve and to store title and the binding item name of binding category IDs.Binding category IDs is an inner ID, and binding category IDs can not show to user, but for storing the binding classification (the binding classification in the binding classification territory 306 of such as Fig. 3) in 1010 with reference to binding information data.Can be one of them of the binding item name (such as can binding classification territory 306) for being input to user's display, the binding item name selected for user.Described binding item name can relevant to binding category IDs or can localization to the character string of current live (example of such as current operating environment) of representative of consumer.

As shown in Figure 10, bind provider 1002 can be configured to provide binding classification interface 1014, browser interface 1016 and binding with reference to manager 1018.Binding classification interface 1014 is configured to store 1010 retrievals binding classification (the binding classification in the binding classification territory 306 of such as Fig. 3) from binding information data.In described illustrated example, in order to retrieve described binding classification, ' GetBindingTypes ' (obtaining binding classification) method is implemented at binding classification interface 1014, the method may be used for the project category (such as control module classification) providing an inventory, and the project category of a described inventory contacts by (such as) Exemplary attributes definition of user's interface (UI) 300 and equipment or device figure (the figure 202a-c of such as Fig. 2).Such as, ' GetBindingTypes ' (obtaining binding classification) may be used for retrieving the binding classification in the binding classification territory 3006 being shown in Fig. 3.

Browser interface 1016 can be selective interface, if need browse or technical support (such as supporting to filter according to the character inputted by user the project producing suggestion inventory automatically progressively), can choice for use browser interface 1016.In described illustrated example, browser interface 1016 implements ' GetBindingValues ' (acquisition bound values) method, and ' GetBindingValues ' (acquisition bound values) method may be used for the filtered listings of other value of binding class of returning path that specified by user, that inputted in particular text territory with user or character match.Such as, referring to Fig. 4, user in attribute codomain 402 time input alphabet ' F ', ' GetBindingValues ' (acquisition bound values) method return in suggestion drop down list 406 automatically with in binding classification territory 306 selected binding classification ' DV module ' 308 relevant, the filtered listings that take alphabetical ' F ' as the control module identifier started.

Binding may be used for implementing rename with reference to manager 1018 and follows the tracks of, so that by the change propagation of control module identifier (such as FIC101, FIC102 etc.) throughout the above-mentioned distinct device about Fig. 5 and 6 or device figure (the figure 202a-c of such as Fig. 2).In described illustrated example, binding implements ' LoadBindingReferences ' (loading binding reference) method and ' SaveBindingReferences ' (preserving binding reference) method with reference to manager 1018.LoadBindingReferences ' (loading binding reference) method may be used for retrieval (such as the character string of extend markup language (XML) form or any other suitable format) and binds reference character string, creates figure for predefine figure or user.Such as, the graphic editor user interface 514 binding reference 512 from data storage area 502 be fed to based on pump figure 202b is may be used for referring to Fig. 5 and 6, LoadBindingReferences ' (loading binding reference) method.' SaveBindingReferences ' (preserving binding reference) method may be used for storing binding with reference to title change.Such as, with reference to figure 6, when user changes title into LI444 from FIC101 in browser user interface 506, LI444 is stored in binding with reference to 510 by ' SaveBindingReferences ' (preserving binding reference) method.

Graphics memory provider 1004 is communicatively connected to graphics data saving 1020 (such as graphic data base), and graphics data saving 1020 is configured to store graphics data 1022.Graph data 1022 comprises attribute and/or the configuration information (the figure configuration data record 508 of such as Fig. 5 and 6) of equipment or device figure (equipment of such as Fig. 2 or device figure 202a-c) and each figure.Graphics memory provider 1004 is configured to from graphics data saving 1020 retrieving graphics data 1022 and retrieved graph data 1022 is sent to graphic editor 1006, and graph data 1022 is loaded into storer 1008 to show to user by graphic editor 1006.In described illustrated example, when graphics memory provider 1004 is from graphics data saving 1020 retrieving graphics data 1022, binding reference manager 1018 stores the corresponding binding reference 1024 (binding of such as Fig. 5 is with reference to 510) of 1010 retrieval from binding information data and binding is sent to graphic editor 1006 with reference to 1024, binding is loaded into storer 1008, so that display graphics data 1022 with reference to 1024 by graphic editor 1006.Graphic editor 1006 can be similar or identical fully with the graphic editor user interface 514 of Fig. 5 and 6, and can by user with the similar or identical fully user interface of the user interface 300 and 400 with Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, for editing graph (such as Fig. 2,5 and 6 figure 202b) attribute and configuration.

Figure 11-15 be example based on object Process graph 1100,1200,1300,1400 and 1500, these examples based on object Process graph display for implement sample method described here and equipment, data stream between different object instance and/or communication stream.Be described together with the respective flow chart in the process flow diagram of Figure 16-19 based on object Process graph based on each in object Process graph 1100,1200,1300,1400 and 1500.Example procedure chart 1100,1200,1300,1400 and 1500 uses and is described according to the object instance of Object Oriented OO programming nomenclature.But, the process described in procedure chart 1100,1200,1300,1400 and 1500 and their respective flow chart in the process flow diagram of Figure 16-19 can use Object Oriented OO programme beyond the programming of classification implement.

Figure 16-19 describes process flow diagram, these flow processs may be used for implementing sample method described here and equipment, with binding procedure control module, provide binding prompting and transmission controe module identifier value change to the different graphic elements being tied to these control module identifier values.In some embodiments, the sample method of Figure 16-19 can use machine readable instructions to implement, and described machine readable instructions comprises the program performed by processor (processor 2012 of display in the exemplary process device system 2010 of such as Figure 20).Described program can be included in being stored in the software on tangible media in the mode be widely known by the people, such as be implemented in the software be stored on compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), floppy disk, hard disk, digital versatile disc (DVD) or the storer relevant with processor 2012, and/or include in firmware and/or specialized hardware.In addition, although described example program is described as a reference with process flow diagram graphic in Figure 16-19, the common engineering technical personnel of this area it will be understood that these programs can alternatively be implemented with many additive methods.Such as, the execution sequence of flow path block or operation can change, and/or some described flow path block or operation can change, get rid of or combine.Although the sample method of Figure 16-19 is summarily described as the binding reference processing (such as create, preserve, load etc.) graphic elements and this graphic elements, the sample method of Figure 16-19 may be used for processing multiple graphic elements and multiple binding reference.Such as, if user creates the procedure graph display shown in Fig. 2, the sample method of Figure 16-19 may be used for processing all graph datas corresponding to equipment graphic elements 202a-c and their multiple corresponding binding reference.

Referring now to Figure 16, relate to the one or more binding provider 1002 (Figure 10) (flow path block 1602) of first registers from other sample method of difference binding provider retrieval binding class.Such as, one of them of binding provider 1002 can register itself by providing its accordingly binding provider log-on message 1012 (Figure 10) to graphic editor 1006.Briefly referring to Figure 11, when DeltaV binding provider registers itself, it provides DeltaV to bind provider object 1102 to graphic editor 1006, and the asset management system (AMS) bind provider registration itself time, it provides the asset management system (AMS) to bind provider object 1104.

Turn back to Figure 16, registration binding provider 1002 is then loaded (flow path block 1604) to (such as) local storage 1008 by graphic editor 1006 (Figure 10).Such as, graphic editor 1006 can load registration binding provider 1002 by reading binding provider register-file 1012, to create display class, and the display definition class 702 of such as Fig. 7.Graphic editor 1006 then requires the binding classification (flow path block 1606) of the registration binding provider 1002 of each loading.Such as, referring to Figure 11, the graphic editor object 1106 that may be used for the graphic editor 1006 implementing Figure 10 can transmit binding class requirement (Ibinding.GetBindingTypes ()) and bind provider object 1102 to DeltaV, the relevant one or more binding classifications of provider object 1102 are bound to DeltaV with retrieval, and transmission binding class requirement binds provider object 1104 to the asset management system (AMS), binds the relevant one or more binding classifications of provider object 1104 to retrieve to the asset management system (AMS).

Turn back to Figure 16, described registration binding provider 1002 (Figure 10) is then from their corresponding binding classification (flow path block 1608) of corresponding search data memory.Such as, referring to Figure 11, DeltaV binds provider object 1102 and stores its binding classification (such as ' DeltaV module ' binds classification) of 1108 retrievals from DeltaV data, and DeltaV data store 1108 one of them that the binding information data of Figure 10 can be used to store 1010 and implement.Provider object 1104 is bound by network 1110 by the asset management system (AMS), retrieves its binding classification from another memory block (such as remote storage location, third party memory location etc.) (not shown).

As shown in Figure 16, graphic editor 1006 then provides retrieved binding classification (flow path block 1610).Such as, graphic editor 1006 can show with the binding classification territory 306 of Fig. 3 together with the one or more binding classifications in the binding classification shown.Briefly referring to Figure 12, described binding classification can be provided to make graphic editor 1006 (Figure 10), the property dialog object 1202 (it may be used for the Exemplary attributes definition of user's interface (UI) 300 implementing Fig. 3) of the described attribute of called after ' module ' transmits and requires that (IBinding.GetBindingTypes ()) binds provider object 1102 to DeltaV, to fill described other inventory of retrieval binding class (such as with the binding classification territory 306 of Fig. 3 together with other inventory of the binding class shown).

Turn back to Figure 16, graphic editor 1006 receives user's selected binding classification (flow path block 1612) and the binding category attribute of described binding classification and equipment or device figure is contacted or the binding category attribute of designated equipment or device figure gives described binding classification (flow path block 1614).Such as, user can select described binding class other one of them by the binding classification territory 306 of Fig. 3, and make selected binding classification and (such as) Fig. 2,5, the pump figure 202b of 6 and 10 contacts.Referring to Figure 12, the binding category attribute that binding class is clipped to pump figure 202b is selected in order to specify described user, the attribute defining objects 1204 of the described attribute of called after ' module ' creates binding information object 1206, comprises described selected binding classification (such as ' DV module ').The example process of Figure 16 then terminates.

Referring now to the process flow diagram of Figure 17, make control module identifier (such as FIC101) and equipment or device figure element (such as Fig. 2,5, the pump figure 202b of 6 and 10) the example process that occurs to contact relates to and loads one or more registration and bind provider (flow path block 1702) at first.Such as, the description as previously discussed about the flow path block 1604 of Figure 16 is such, and the graphic editor 1016 of Figure 10 can load one or more binding provider 1002.Graphic editor 1006 is then equipment or device figure display configuration user interfaces (flow path block 1704).Such as, graphic editor 1006 can show the graphic attribute user interface 400 of Fig. 4, to make it possible to the attribute of the pump figure 202b of arrangement plan 2,5,6 and 10.Briefly referring to Figure 13, in order to display graphics properties user interface 400, property dialog object 1202 sends binding class requirement (GetBindingType ()) to attribute defining objects 1204, to receive the binding classification relevant to pump figure 202b.In turn, attribute defining objects 1204 retrieves the binding classification (such as ' DV module ') of pump figure 202b from binding information object 1206, then described binding classification is restored to property dialog object 1202.Described binding classification and pump figure 202b are contacted make graphic editor 1006 can produce other control module identifier of this binding class subsequently automatically to advise that inventory arrives the user relevant with the attribute codomain 402 of the Exemplary attributes user interface 400 of (such as) Fig. 4.

Again referring to Figure 17, graphic editor 1006 then monitors User Part input (flow path block 1706) of the control module identifier value in the attribute codomain 402 of the properties user interface 400 of (such as) Fig. 4.The input of described certain customers can be the string of character, numeral, symbol etc.Graphic editor 1006 then determines whether available browser interface 1016 (Figure 10) (flow path block 1708).Such as, if browser interface 1016 is not allow function, graphic editor 1006 can not provide the automatic suggestion inventory of the available control module identifier relevant to the specific binding classification of figure.In other words, graphic editor 1006 can not provide the control module identifier value inventory of automatically advising as shown in Figure 4 in drop down list 406.If graphic editor 1006 determines browser interface 1016 non-availability (flow path block 1708), then graphic editor 1006 allows user in (such as) attribute codomain 402, complete the described control module identifier of input (flow path block 1710).

If graphic editor 1006 determines that browser interface 1016 can obtain (flow path block 1708), the described binding classification (such as ' DV module ') relevant to pump figure 202b and described certain customers input one of them (flow path block 1712) of passing to and binding provider 1002 by graphic editor 1006.Such as, referring to Figure 13, the property dialog object 1202 of the described attribute of called after ' module ' is by requiring (IBrowse.GetBindingValues (binding type, path)), transmit described binding classification and described certain customers input (such as part path) to DeltaV bind provider 1102, to receive the control module identifier value relevant to this binding classification.As shown in Figure 17, browser interface 1016 (Figure 10) then inquires that data store one of them of 1010 (Figure 10), to retrieve the control module identifier value inventory (flow path block 1714) relevant to described binding classification.Binding provider 1002 then receives the control module identifier value (flow path block 1716) storing 1010 retrievals from data.

Binding provider 1002 or graphic editor 1006, according to the described certain customers input being input to attribute codomain 402 (Fig. 4), filter the control module identifier value (flow path block 1718) received.After this manner, graphic editor 1006 only can provide the control module identifier value that the part of those match user inputs.Such as, as shown in Figure 4, be response user's input alphabet ' F ', suggestion drop down list 406 provides the control module identifier value started with letter ' F ' automatically.Graphic editor 1006 then provides described filtration control module identifier value (flow path block 1720) by the automatic suggestion drop down list 406 of (such as) Fig. 4.Graphic editor 1006 then receives user and selectes control module identifier value (flow path block 1722), select one of them of value in automatic suggestion drop down list 406 to respond (such as) user, or user inputs described control module identifier value at flow path block 1710.In some embodiments, the sample method of Figure 17 can change to and include validity verification operation, in described validation verification operation, graphic editor 1006 performs validation verification at flow path block 1710 to described user input values, to guarantee that described user input values may be used for creating the effectively bind reference for graphic elements.If described user input values is invalid, warning can be shown by the example validation verification information 800 of (such as) Fig. 8 to user.

Graphic editor 1006 then selectes control module identifier value according to described user, creates binding with reference to (binding of such as Figure 10 with reference to 1024 one of them) (flow path block 1724).Such as, referring to Figure 13, property dialog object 1202 can transmit the attributes object 1302 of setting property value requirement (SetPropertyValue) to the described attribute of called after ' module ', comprise described user and select control module identifier value, and attributes object 1302 can set its value (SetValue ()) for user selectes control module identifier value (such as FIC101).Attributes object 1302 then can use and obtain binding information requirement (GetBindingInfo ()), obtain the binding classification of pump figure 202b from other binding information object 1206 of binding class of called after ' DV module ', and select control module identifier value (such as FIC101) establishment binding references object 1304 according to described binding classification (such as ' DV module ') and described user.Turn back to Figure 17, binding references object 1304 is stored in local storage 1008 (Figure 10) (flow path block 1726) by graphic editor 1006.The sample method of Figure 17 then terminates.

Referring to Figure 18, may be used for storing binding and relate to reference to the sample method of (binding of such as Figure 10 with reference to 1024 one of them) and receive the user preserving graphic elements and require (flow path block 1802) at first.Such as, user can select preserve Fig. 2,5, the option of the pump figure 202b of 6 and 10.The binding information (flow path block 1804) that graphic editor 1006 is extracted relevant to pump figure 202b from local storage 1008 (Figure 10), then described binding information and described associated control modules identifier value is arranged in a predetermined format, to produce binding with reference to (binding of such as Figure 10 is with reference to 1024) (flow path block 1806).Described predetermined format can be may be used for the form outside graphic editor 1006, extend markup language (XML) form of the binding reference such as indicated by the reference number 516 of Fig. 5.Such as, referring to Figure 14, graphic editor object 1106 can format (such as serialization) described binding information by display object 1402, profile object 1404, attributes object 1302, to form binding references object 1406.

The graph data 1022 of pump figure 202b is sent to graphics memory provider 1004 (flow path block 1808) by graphic editor 1006, and then graph data 1022 is stored in graphics data saving 1020 (Figure 10) (flow path block 1810) by graphics memory provider 1004.Binding is then sent to binding provider 1002 (Figure 10) (flow path block 1812) with reference to 1024 by graphic editor 1006, then binds provider 1002 and binding is stored in reference to 1024 one of them (flow path block 1814) that data store 1010.Such as, referring to Figure 14, graphic editor object 1106 can preserve requirement (Save (xmlGraphic, xmlBindingReferences)) to storing provider object 1408, using storage provider object 1408 to come store graphics data 1022 and binding reference 1024 by transmission.Store provider object 1408 and then binding can be sent to DeltaV binding provider 1102 (IBindingReferenceManager.SaveBindingReferences (" xmlBindingReference ")) with reference to 1024, binding can be stored in data with reference to 1024 to make binding provider 1002 (Figure 10) and store 1010 (Figure 10).In addition, store provider object 1408 and graph data 1022 can be sent to graphic database sever object 1410, graphic database sever object 1410 may be used for the graphics memory provider 1004 implementing Figure 10.After this manner, graph data 1022 can be stored in graphics data saving 1020 by graphics memory provider 1004.

Turn back to Figure 18, binding provider 1002 is then deleted data and is stored any binding reference ((flow path block 1816) do not re-used in 1010.Such as, referring to Fig. 6, when binding reference FIC101 and changing to LI444, it is that the binding of FIC101 is with reference to deleted that data store label in 1010.In other words, when binding reference identifier FIC101 and changing to LI444, LI444 is for binding pump figure 202b to specific control module (pump control module 120 of such as Fig. 1) in binding reference.Otherwise the binding of repetition is with reference to causing problem (such as system dispute).The sample method of Figure 18 then terminates.

Referring to Figure 19, described process flow diagram describes a sample method, this sample method can use the binding reference information of most recent come loading equipemtn or device figure element (such as Fig. 2,5, the pump figure 202b of 6 and 10).The sample method of Figure 19 also can corresponding to binding with reference in the equipment of change (such as FIC101 being changed to LI444 as above-mentioned) of control module identifier value or device figure loaded by graphic editor 1006 time, for propagate binding with reference in the change (such as FIC101 being changed to LI444 as above-mentioned) of control module identifier value to corresponding equipment or device figure.Such as, if user's (in the browsing user interface 506 such as at Fig. 5) change after binding is stored in data storage 1010 with reference to 1024 (Figure 10), outside graphic editor 1006 binds the control module identifier value with reference to 1024 (Figure 10), the record that graphic editor 1006 will not have this to change.But using the sample method of Figure 19, when graphic editor 1006 loads respective graphical (such as pump figure 202b), can be the new control module identifier value that described respective graphical upgrades binding reference 1024.

As shown in Figure 19, initial graphic editor 1006 retrieval user requires figure (flow path block 1902).Such as, graphic editor 1006 can retrieve pump figure 202b, requires to respond the user loading this figure or loads the user's requirement comprising the display of this figure.Binding provider 1002 corresponding to pump figure 202b is bound with reference to (flow path block 1904) from the renewal of one of them retrieval pump figure 202b of data storage 1010 (Figure 10).Described upgrade binding with reference to can be with most recent information (comprise by user outside graphic editor 1006 to described binding with reference to the change carried out) binding reference.

Figure 15 display graphics editing machine 1006 can retrieve at flow path block 1904 examples upgrading binding reference in flow path block 1902 retrieving graphics data 1022 and binding provider 1002.Such as, referring to Figure 15, graphic editor object 1106 can according to figure and the binding reference identifier information requiring figure in local storage 1008 corresponding to described user, transmit to load and require that (Load (xmlGraphic, xmlBindingReferences)) is to storing provider object 1408.Store provider object 1408 and can transmit binding with reference to requiring to DeltaV binding provider object 1102 and transmission graph data, (IBindingReferenceManager.LoadBindingReferences (" xmlBindingReference ")) requires that (LoadGraphic (xmlGraphic)) is to graphic database sever object 1410.After this manner, binding provider 1002 can store 1010 retrieval described renewal binding reference from data, and graphics memory provider 1004 can from graphics data saving 1020 retrieving graphics data 1022.

Turn back to Figure 19, graphic editor 1006 sets up the memory model (flow path block 1906) of pump figure 202b in local storage 1008.Such as, as shown in Figure 15, graphic editor object 1106 can require, (comprises retrieved graph data 1022 (Create (xmlGraphic)) to display object 1402, profile object 1404, attributes object 1302 and binding references object 1406 to create described graphic memory model.Graphic editor object 1106 carries out to identical figure the value that duration of work is stored in local storage 1008 by graphic editor 1006 set up described graphic memory model according to selecting at previous user.Therefore, some value may bind from the renewal retrieved at flow path block 1904 with reference in value different.Load in order to binding out-of-date potentially described in representing is referenced as described graphic memory model, binding references object 1406 is for loaded binding is with reference to adding binding reference identifier (such as ' with reference to 1 ') to binding references object inventory 1502.

As shown in Figure 19, bind provider 1002 and then rebuild the described extend markup language (XML) expression (flow path block 1908) upgrading binding reference.Such as, as shown in Figure 15, graphic editor object 1106 can transmit again memory requirement (RestoreBindingReferences (xmlBindingReference)) (being included in the renewal binding reference information that flow path block 1904 is retrieved) to display object 1402.As shown in Figure 19, graphic editor 1006 then upgrades in binding reference described to upgrade the out-of-date control module identifier value (flow path block 1910) in the described memory model of control module identifier value replacement local storage 1008 accordingly.Such as, referring to Figure 15, display object 1402 can transmit again memory requirement (Restore (xmlBindingReference)) to binding references object inventory 1502, and binds references object inventory 1502 and can transmit more new demand (Update (xmlBindingReference)) to binding references object 1406.After this manner, binding references object 1406 can according to described binding reference identifier (such as ' with reference to 1 '), described renewal control module identifier value (LI444) is retrieved from binding provider 1002, and store described renewal control module identifier value (LI444) by replacing described out-of-date control module identifier value (FIC101) previously with described renewal control module identifier value (LI444), to make described renewal control module identifier value (LI444) and pump figure 202b contact, and thus make described out-of-date control module identifier value (FIC101) be separated with pump figure 202b.In some embodiments, if 1502, binding references object inventory transmit described in more the control module identifier value bound in reference information in the renewal that flow path block 1904 retrieve to binding references object 1406-of new demand is different from the control module identifier value in the graphic memory model loaded in local storage 1008 at flow path block 1906.Graphic editor 1006 then shows described renewal control module identifier value (flow path block 1912).The sample method of Figure 19 then terminates.

Figure 20 is a block diagram, and it shows an exemplary process device system 2010, and this exemplary process device system 2010 may be used for implementing Apparatus and method for described here.As shown in figure 20, processor system 2010 comprises the processor 2012 being connected to interconnect bus 2014.Processor 2012 comprises register or deposits space 2016, register or deposit space 2016 and be depicted as completely at chip in fig. 20, but it can alternatively completely or partially be positioned at outside chip, and be connected to processor 2012 by special electrical connection and/or by interconnect bus 2014.Processor 2012 can be any suitable processor, processing unit or microprocessor.Although do not show in Figure 20, processor system 2010 can be multicomputer system, and therefore it can comprise similar or identical with processor 2012 and be communicatively connected to one or more Attached Processors of interconnect bus 2014.

The processor 2012 of Figure 20 is connected to chipset 2018, and chipset 2018 comprises Memory Controller 2020 and peripheral i/o controller 2022.As being widely known by the people, chipset typically provides I/O and memory management functions and many general and/or special register, timer etc., and these I/O and memory management functions and many general and/or special register, timer etc. can by one or more processor access or the uses being connected to chipset 2018.Memory Controller 2020 n-back test, thus make processor 2012 (if or multiple processor-have multiple processor) can access system storer 2024 and mass storage 2025.

System storage 2024 can comprise volatibility and/or the nonvolatile memory of any expectation classification, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), flash memory, ROM (read-only memory) (ROM) etc.Mass storage 2025 can comprise the large capacity equipment of any expectation classification, comprises hard disk drive, CD drive, fc tape storage device FC etc.

Peripheral I/O (I/O) controller 2022 n-back test, thus processor 2012 can be communicated with peripheral input-output apparatus 2026 and 2028 and socket 2030 by peripheral input/output bus 2032.Input-output apparatus 2026 and 2028 can be the input-output apparatus of any expectation classification, such as keyboard, video display or watch-dog, mouse etc.Socket 2030 can be (such as) ethernet device, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) equipment, 802.11 equipment, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) modulator-demodular unit, cable modem, cellular modem etc., and it makes processor system 2010 can communicate with another processor system.

Although Memory Controller 2020 and i/o controller 2022 are depicted as the independent functional block in chipset 2018 in fig. 20, but the function performed by these functional blocks can be integrated in single semiconductor circuits, or can implement with two or more independent integrated circuit.

Although described some method, equipment and manufacture parts at this, the scope that this patent comprises has not been limited.On the contrary, this patent comprise with good grounds letter or equivalence principle by rights belong to this method of right, equipment and manufacture parts attached.

Claims (14)

1. in Process Control System for upgrade binding reference a method, described method comprises:

Retrieval with configure the relevant renewal of element and bind reference, described configuration element is the graphic elements of one of them representing unit in described Process Control System or function;

Load described configuration element and first identifier relevant to described configuration element; And

The more new identifier of described renewal binding reference and described configuration element are contacted.

2. the method for claim 1, the step wherein loading described configuration element comprises to be retrieved the memory model of described configuration element from the local storage relevant to graphic editor and loads the described memory model configuring element described in described local storage.

3. method as claimed in claim 2, the step that described in wherein making, more new identifier and described configuration element contact comprises and replaces described first identifier with described more new identifier.

4. the method for claim 1, wherein said first identifier represents the previous identifier of process control module, and wherein said renewal identifier represents the current identifier of described process control module.

5. the method for claim 1, wherein said configuration element is loaded, to respond the user's requirement loading described configuration element.

6. the method for claim 1, comprises the binding reference identifier relevant to described configuration element to be stored in further and binds in reference list, to indicate described first identifier relevant to described configuration element out-of-date potentially.

7. method as claimed in claim 6, comprises the described binding reference identifier according to being stored in described binding reference list further, retrieves the described more new identifier upgrading binding reference.

8. in Process Control System for upgrade binding reference an equipment, described equipment comprises:

Binding provider, binds reference for retrieving the renewal relevant to configuring element, and described configuration element is the graphic elements of one of them representing unit in described Process Control System or function;

Editing machine object, for loading described configuration element and first identifier relevant to described configuration element; And

Binding references object, contacts for the more new identifier and described configuration element making described renewal binding reference.

9. equipment as claimed in claim 8, wherein said editing machine object by retrieving the memory model of described configuration element from the local storage relevant to graphic editor and loading the described memory model configuring element described in described local storage, thus loads described configuration element.

10. equipment as claimed in claim 9, wherein said binding references object is by replacing described first identifier with described more new identifier, and described in making, more new identifier and described configuration element contact.

11. equipment as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first identifier represents the previous identifier of process control module, and wherein said renewal identifier represents the current identifier of described process control module.

12. equipment as claimed in claim 8, wherein said editing machine object loads described configuration element, to respond the user's requirement loading described configuration element.

13. equipment as claimed in claim 8, comprise binding reference list further, so that the binding reference identifier relevant to described configuration element being stored in binds in reference list, to indicate described first identifier relevant to described configuration element out-of-date potentially.

14. equipment as claimed in claim 13, wherein said editing machine object, according to the described binding reference identifier be stored in described binding reference list, upgrades the more new identifier of binding reference from described binding provider retrieval is described.